APPLE VALLEY, Calif – On Saturday, April 2, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation Division performed an air hoist rescue on two 17-year-old male juveniles from Victorville. The juveniles were hiking in the Deep Creek Spillway in the town of Apple Valley when they became lost and began to feel the effects of heat exhaustion. One of the hikers called 911 after noticing his friend needed medical assistance.

A sheriff’s patrol helicopter 40King operated by flight crew Corporal Ells and Deputy Conner responded to the emergency call. The flight crew conducted an extensive search and located both hikers in a narrow canyon. Due to the terrain, the flight crew was unable to land, and the hikers were unable to hike to a safer location, so the flight crew requested the assistance of Sheriff’s Air Rescue 6 to perform a hoist rescue on the stranded hikers.

Air Rescue 6 operated by flight crew Corporal Gilley, Deputy Miller, and Air Medic Curtis arrived and performed a hoist rescue on both hikers. The hikers were taken to an awaiting ambulance, and they were transported to a local hospital for precaution for medical evaluation.